Woods' win a big step
to Rainbows' Ellison

By Paul Arnett
Star-Bulletin

Tiger Woods winning The Masters golf tournament over the weekend was a special moment for University of Hawaii tight end Gary Ellison.

As a teen-ager, the Augusta, Ga., resident used to work as a groundskeeper during the prestigious event with other kids from local high schools.

Ellison was not only happy an Afro-American won it, but how the predominantly Caucasian crowd supported him.

"It was really exciting for me to see a half-black, half-Asian man finally win it," Ellison said. "I think it was a big step for both races in golf.

"I was amazed to see the following he had through the tournament. When I worked there, not that many people followed the Asians who were playing, just the Caucasians. I was proud how the crowd treated him, regardless of race.

"To be honest, it really wasn't a race issue. It was a man just dominating the greatest golfers in the world on one of the most famous courses in the world."

Ellison and former UH player Jason Ross worked at The Masters during their high school days. Ellison said everyone takes part during the week of the event.

"They like to use the area football players to make sure everything runs smoothly," Ellison said. "It's one of the most beautiful places I've ever seen. A lot of people come just to look at all the different flowers and trees."

UH PLAYER FOUGHT DE LA HOYA: Robert Ornellas didn't think Oscar De La Hoya looked all that tough when he entered the ring five years ago at the U.S. Olympic Trials.

The UH running back from Mililani High fought De La Hoya -- who won the World Boxing Council title last weekend with a unanimous decision over Pernell Whitaker -- in the 132-pound weight class in Colorado Springs, Colo.

"I was fighting out of San Diego in those days," Ornellas said. "I got farther in the trials than I thought I would. He didn't knock me out, but he beat me up pretty bad.

"I had no idea who he was when I fought him. When I saw him, he was real skinny and talked kind of feminine. In my head, I was thinking I'm going to kick this guy's ass, but when I got in the ring it was a different story.

"I couldn't do anything against him. By the third round, I was hoping the referee was going to stop the fight."

VONAPPEN LIKED SCRIMMAGE: UH head coach Fred vonAppen was pleased with many phases of last Saturday's scrimmage.

"The good thing is, it was equitable," vonAppen said. "Both sides of the football had their moments. The defense kept the offense from going 80 yards for a score.

"But the offense did manage to score four times, so that was good. I thought the running backs showed good balance. The only thing is we didn't get the ball to Franklin Saunders enough.

"Morrie Roe looked OK, so did Russell Grant and Quincy Jacobs. We caught the ball upfield, particularly Lonn Kalama, but we didn't get the ball enough to a variety of receivers. Defensively, Eddie Klaneski continues to play well in the secondary and Stephen Gonzales had some good plays."

UH defensive coordinator Don Lindsey didn't want to single out any particular players, but was pleased with the overall effort.

"I liked our effort going to the football," Lindsey said. "That's the only way we're going to be able to do anything is to chase that guy with the football.

"We're not there yet, but I told the guys this morning that if we make a big play on defense, it's usually because they made a mistake on offense. When we gave up a big play on defense it's because we made a mistake. So, it's all about limiting our mistakes."

The offense also made its fair share of errors, but UH offensive coordinator Wally English still sees plenty of daylight.

"This process is going to take time," English said. "But we're getting better and we're going to be better by the fall. We still have a ways to go on pass protection.

"We used a lot of sprint-outs to help with our pass protection, zone blocks and the like. We need that so we can get outside more. If we try to drop back right now, we just can't do it because it takes time to learn that stuff."

SMITH IN PEOPLE: This week's People magazine has the story of Shannon Smith's drowning two weeks ago while saving the life of vonAppen's youngest child, Cody.

Thea vonAppen thought it was a good article about what happened. The UH head coach's wife said she was returning to Kauai tomorrow to visit Slippery Slide with Shannon's brother, Sean.

"I want to go swimming and experience it the way Shannon wanted us to," Thea vonAppen said. "Sean told me he would take me. It's something I want to do."

INJURY UPDATE: Tight end Jimmy McClain is off crutches, but not back in the lineup since injuring his knee last week.

He will have an MRI done today. Defensive backs Ron Wood and Ricky Lumford overcame ankle sprains in time for the last week of practice.

Fred Lau wasn't as lucky. He sprained his ankle in Saturday's scrimmage and is day-to-day.

Linebacker Brian Chapman returned to full pads after missing most of last week with a throat problem. Overall, UH trainers are happy with the team's health.